Show Notes for Episode 280
Former Disneyland Trumpet Player
In this episode we welcome Larry Meregillano who played trumpet at Disneyland for many years and had the chance to play with many great players and has some great stories, plus the latest in the Disneyland Current Events with guest Tommy Allison.
Disneyland Resort Current Event
***BREAKING NEWS***
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Corona) Virus, in addition to Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland, the remaining Parks will be closed until at the end of the month as follows:
Disneyland - Saturday March 14th, 2020
Disney Cruise Line - Saturday March 14th, 2020
Disneyland Paris - Saturday March 14th, 2020
Walt Disney World - Monday March 16th, 2020
The end date could be shortened or extended based on medical recommendations. Disney is over whelmed with people attempting to rebook / Cancel so please be patient with them. They are modifying their cancelation policy to accommodate guests. Many booking services can be handled online (links above). They are reportedly going to extend AP's by one month.
Disney parks in California, Florida and France to close for two weeks amid coronavirus outbreak
Disneyland resort hotels will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give visitors the opportunity to make travel arrangements. Downtown Disney will remain open.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 12, 2020
"All of Disney’s theme parks around the world will soon be closed amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic as entertainment and sporting venues across the United States began shuttering their operations en masse.
"Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close on Saturday, March 14 and remain closed through March 31 following an executive order from the state regarding large gatherings at entertainment venues.
"The four Disney World theme parks and the two Disneyland Paris parks will close on Sunday, March 15 and remain closed until the end of the month. The Disney Cruise Line will suspend new departures for the rest of the month beginning Saturday, March 14."
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"Disney previously closed its theme parks in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo in response to the coronavirus."
Orange County Register
Disneyland, California Adventure to close for the rest of the month over coronavirus
By Luke Money, Hugo Martín
March 12, 2020
"Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close Saturday morning through the end of the month in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials’ recommendation that gatherings of 250 or more people be canceled across the state, company officials said."
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"Disneyland and other Southern California theme parks were open for business Thursday morning, even after the guidance from the governor, which does not carry the force of law and does 'not apply to essential public transportation, airport travel or shopping at a store or mall.'"
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"Earlier this week, the 'Happiest Place on Earth' outlined the steps it was taking to keep its guests safe, including robust cleaning and sanitation procedures, training for employees and providing easily accessible hand-washing facilities."
LA Times
Disneyland and other theme parks excluded from coronavirus guidelines ‘at the moment,’ governor says
California theme parks, casinos and theaters were not included in an order calling for the postponement or cancellation of large gatherings over 250 people at concerts, conferences and sporting events.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 12, 2020
"An executive order from the California governor calling on entertainment venues to cancel or postpone events does not apply 'at the moment' to Disneyland or other theme parks, but guidelines were expected for the tourist destinations in the 'immediate future.'
"California theme parks, casinos and theaters were not included in an order calling for the postponement or cancellation of large gatherings over 250 people at concerts, conferences and sporting events, California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a press conference on Thursday, March 12."
Orange County Register
What coronavirus fears? Disneyland visitors pour in and focus on fun
By Ruben Vives
March 6, 2020
"As the number of coronavirus cases rose in the United States and some conferences and public events were canceled, thousands of residents and travelers continue to make their way to Disneyland.
"Theme park officials said they are taking precautions to try to keep visitors safe, noting that they are taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
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"Inside the park, there were only the most subtle hints that people were thinking about coronavirus. Some people bought hand sanitizers from stands. Some employees joked about investing in hand sanitizing companies.
"There were sanitizing stations at restaurants. Parents used sanitizing wipes to clean the hands of their children. But some of the most visible accessories for the coronavirus-concerned — latex gloves and masks — were uncommon sights. That made Disneyland feel, pretty much, like Disneyland on any other day."
LA Times
Coronavirus Concerns: Is it Safe to Visit Disneyland?
By Dusty Sage -
March 4, 2020
"Should Visitors Avoid Disneyland?
"In short, that’s a decision you need to make. But if you are in good health, now is a beautiful and cost-effective time to visit. There’s going to be a flu season every year. Follow the tips above and you’ll be on the right path whether you are at Disneyland, the supermarket, or at home.
"As a whole, Disneyland is a pretty safe place to be and has robust sanitation standards."
MiceChat
NEWS: Disney Parks Coronavirus Closure Updates
By Chloé Ferreira -
March 8, 2020
MiceChat
Coronavirus Update – Pressure Builds for Disneyland and California Attractions
By Dusty Sage -
March 12, 2020
MiceChat
BREAKING NEWS – Disneyland Closing March 14 Due to Coronavirus
By Dusty Sage -
March 12, 2020
"BREAKING NEWS: Due to Coronavirus concerns and consultations with health and government officials, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure will close beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month."
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"While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of guests and employees, Disney will be proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month.
"The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.
"Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period. We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests’ patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries."
MiceChat
The Aftermath – ALL Disney Parks Closed
By Dusty Sage -
March 13, 2020
"It’s hard to process what happened yesterday. Everything moved so fast. In late January, Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland closed due to Coronavirus concern. They were followed in February by Tokyo Disneyland. Yesterday, the remaining Disney theme parks and Disney Cruise Line announced their closures as well.
"While many of us could see the prospect of an eventual park closing in the USA, the speed with which it all happened was stunning."
MiceChat
NEW Avengers Campus Details, Food, Opening Date and More!
By Dusty Sage -
March 11, 2020
"New adventures are coming this summer to Disney California Adventure. Superheroes are assembling with new attractions, experiences, stunts, food, merchandise and more. Avengers Campus is set to open July 18th."
MiceChat
Disney reveals opening date for Marvel’s Avengers Campus
When the superhero training complex finally opens, visitors will find the Avengers’ iconic Quinjet docked atop a futuristic headquarters building as collector Taneleer Tivan’s towering citadel looms in the distance.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 11, 2020
"The new Marvel themed land will be set on a tech campus filled with futuristic facades wrapped around repurposed industrial buildings that once belonged to Iron Man’s Tony Stark, according to the backstory for the land. The architectural mash-up of Avengers Campus is intended to evoke feelings of optimism, power, teamwork, humor, heart and heroism.
"When the superhero training complex finally opens, visitors will find the Avengers’ iconic Quinjet docked atop a futuristic headquarters building as collector Taneleer Tivan’s towering citadel looms in the distance."
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"The backstory of Avengers Campus envisions the land as a former Stark Industries secret complex that has been redeveloped by Tony Stark as a training ground for the next generation of superheroes."
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"The open-ended storytelling approach gives Walt Disney Imagineering and Marvel Studios the ability to adapt to new Marvel movies and react in real-time to new Disney+ shows."
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"The central spine of Avengers Campus will lead to two additional entrances to the land. The Cars Land entrance will offer a sense of discovery as visitors pass through a bunker-like passage that will compress and then expand their view of Avengers Campus. The Hollywood Land entrance near the Guardians ride will feature a more contemporary threshold."
Orange County Register
Wed, March 11, 2020
Avengers Campus Set to Open July 18, 2020 at Disneyland Resort
by Scot Drake, Creative Executive, Marvel Global Portfolio
"Our first key location, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade—also known as WEB—is home to the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature a favorite neighborhood hero: Spider-Man. This new family-friendly attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, invites guests to put their web-slinging skills to the test.
"The innovative technology adapted specifically for this attraction includes a seamless blend of 3D and new interface, which allows guests to go on a mission and experience what it’s like to have super powers and sling webs alongside Spider-Man."
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"You may even have the chance to witness Spider-Man swinging into action high above Avengers Campus with gravity-defying, acrobatic feats never seen before in a Disney theme park."
Disney Parks Blog
Disney’s Spider-Man ride uses gesture-tracking tech to let riders sling virtual webs
Throughout the attraction, riders wearing 3D glasses will sling webs at dimensional sets with moving props as well as virtual environments featuring animation and special effects.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 11, 2020
"The new Spider-Man dark ride coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure will use gesture-recognition technology that will track the body and eye movements of riders as they sling virtual webs from their wrists.
"Spider-Man actor Tom Holland will reprise his role in the new attraction debuting July 18 at DCA."
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"The new attraction will be housed inside a former Stark Industries automobile assembly plant that has been transformed into the Web Slingers dark ride. The media tour included a visit to the attraction’s pre-show room where Spider-Man will invite riders to test drive the new Web Slinger vehicles. The pre-show includes a tech demonstration by Spider-Man that goes awry when the spider-bots get stuck in a replication loop. As you might expect, mayhem ensues as the spider-bots continue to multiply throughout the duration of the ride.
"Riders waiting to board the attraction will hear and see escaped spider-bots skittering through the overhead ductwork during the 2 1/2-minute pre-show. Spider-Man appears in the pre-show on a multi-layer projection screen."
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"The 4 1/2-minute ride experience takes passengers around a virtual version of Avengers Campus, passing through the Pym Test Kitchen restaurant, Avengers Headquarters building and the collector’s fortress housed inside the Guardians of the Galaxy —Mission: Breakout attraction."
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"Throughout the attraction, riders wearing 3D glasses will sling webs at dimensional sets with moving props as well as virtual environments featuring animation and special effects.
"Riders will accumulate individual and group scores based on the number of spider-bots wrangled by the team of four riders.
"The Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure attraction will have no height requirement."
Orange County Register
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway captures chaos of cartoon shorts in a fun family ride
Review: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway gets better with each ride — the true sign of great theme park attraction
"The new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway dark ride coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is sweet, fun, charming and frenetic — just like Mickey and the next-generation cartoon shorts that inspired the attraction."
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"The new five-minute dark ride delivers the perfect balance of classic practical sets and audio-animatronics alongside more high-tech projection mapping effects and screen-based scenes.
"There’s so much to see in the new attraction that riders will have to ride Runaway Railway dozens of times to catch everything unfolding in the 360-degree panoramic views surrounding them. And that, in a nutshell, is the definition of a great theme park dark ride."
Orange County Register
Meet Chuuby: The chubby little bird with a starring role in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuts March 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in 2022.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: February 29, 2020
"Meet Chuuby — a chubby little orange bird who plays a starring role in the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuting March 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in 2022."
Orange County Register
How Disney pulled off the technical feats in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway officially debuted March 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and opens in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in 2022.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 6, 2020
"Disney’s new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway trackless dark ride delivers a balance of classic physical sets and audio-animatronics alongside more high-tech projection mapping effects and screen-based scenes."
Orange County Register
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: 15 Easter eggs hidden in the new Disney ride
The Maison des Souris sign in the city scene of the attraction makes sense once you translate the French into English: Mouse House.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 4, 2020
"The new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway coming to Disneyland is so full of hidden Easter eggs that it will take many rides to catch everything unfolding in the 360-degree panoramic views surrounding riders."
Orange County Register
Disneyland rolls out new AP Magic annual passholder perks program
The free perks program starting Monday, March 2 brings all of Disneyland’s annual passholder benefits under the new AP Magic umbrella.
By Brady MacDonald
PUBLISHED: March 7, 2020
"Disneyland has unveiled a new AP Magic perks program that will let annual passholders pick up free swag, participate in special events and buy exclusive merchandise at the Anaheim theme park.
"The free perks program starting Monday, March 2 brings all of Disneyland’s annual passholder benefits under the new AP Magic umbrella.
"Exclusive passholder perks include after-hour ride times, movie sneak peaks, photo ops, character meet-and-greets, special events, exclusive merchandise and pre-sale tickets just for annual passholders.
"The park’s AP Corner offers free collectible magnets, buttons and photo ops for passholders along with collectible merchandise."
Orange County Register
California Adventure Food & Wine Festival and Magic Happens Merchandise!
By Natalie Kipper
March 1, 2020
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Parade Magic (or Tragic) & Food Too
By Nathan Villamor
March 2, 2020
"It was a busy start to the Spring Break season this past week at Disneyland with the launch of both an edgy new parade AND the return of the Food and Wine Festival. We’ve got photos and video of both for you, along with the regular news, refurbishments, and construction. Now, let’s see if the new stuff is magic or tragic . . . "
MiceChat
Disneyland Update – Spring Fling and Virus Things
By Dusty Sage
March 9, 2020
"It’s been a crazy week for the Disneyland Resort, and the United States as a whole. With all the news about the spread of the Coronavirus, it’s really putting a dampener on the spring break celebrations at Disneyland. Although the parks are beautifully decked out in colorful flowers and foliage, the crowds are starting to thin. Let’s take a closer look at the impact of the coronavirus on Disneyland, construction, refurbishments, and the explosion of spring flowers throughout the Resort."
MiceChat
Late Disney Legend Dave Smith to be Honored with Window on Main Street at Disneyland
Mar 11, 2020
"The late Disney Legend, Dave Smith will be receiving another honor this year when his very own tribute window is installed at Disneyland. The June 22 unveiling will correspond with the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Archives founding."
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